Mountaineering the Driving Run Path in Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park presents a quiet stroll via rolling hills, winding ravines, and patches of combined hardwood forest. Whereas the path lacks scenic views, its various terrain and solitude make it a strong possibility for these seeking to escape the crowds and luxuriate in a extra peaceable aspect of the park. With few hikers and fewer distractions, it’s a really perfect outing for anybody craving quiet miles in Ohio’s solely nationwide park.
Do not miss early summer time when wildflowers are in bloom
Mountaineering the Driving Run Path
It’s one other sweltering July morning after I arrive on the Everett Coated Bridge Trailhead. At 7:45 AM, the lot holds solely a handful of autos—comprehensible, provided that it’s already 92 levels. I’m right here for the Driving Run Path, a hike I haven’t finished in 15 years and don’t keep in mind significantly fondly. Nonetheless, it feels price revisiting. From the trailhead—additionally the place to begin for the Perkins Path—I observe the crushed gravel path for a couple of hundred yards to the Everett Coated Bridge.
Past the bridge, the path hugs Outdated Everett Street to the left and parallels Furnace Run to the fitting. The previous, damaged asphalt has largely been overtaken by nature, now mixing into the panorama.
About half a mile in, the path veers proper and continues alongside a rougher stretch of the street, the place massive chunks of pavement nonetheless stay. It retains me out of the forest temper a bit, however shafts of daylight filtering via the pines alongside the creek assist redeem the second.
On the 0.8-mile mark, the path turns left into the woods. A well-marked junction indicators the beginning of the loop portion, the place I select to go proper and hike it counterclockwise. A gradual climb begins, winding via a mixture of hardwoods and pine, the solar breaking via the cover in golden slants.
After about half a mile, the incline ranges off and the path enters a tall, aromatic stand of pines. It then shifts again to hardwood forest. There are not any sweeping views right here, however the solitude is simple—and appreciated.
Round mile 2.2, the path bends left and begins an extended, light descent. Moss-covered logs line the trail, and I catch the faint sound of Driving Run effervescent someplace off to the east.
This part brings selection: two small wood footbridges over dry creek beds, huge oaks with crooked limbs, and a junction with the connector path to the Perkins Path. From previous visits, I do know there’s an previous deserted cabin tucked away to the east alongside Driving Run, however I don’t have time to trace it down in the present day.
Close to the three.2-mile mark, the loop closes, and I retrace my steps alongside Outdated Everett Street, again throughout the bridge, and return to the trailhead.
There have been no dramatic views on the Driving Run Path, however I nonetheless loved the quiet and the time alone within the woods. It’s not essentially the most scenic possibility within the park, however for these seeking to escape the crowds and stretch their legs, it serves its goal. Linking it with the Perkins Path would make for a extra various and satisfying loop—one thing I’ll probably come again for.
